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Within the final 10 years, I’ve examined numerous GPS working watches. I’m undecided any have caught the eye as a lot because the Garmin Fenix S collection. It was all of the sudden a working watch that appeared nice, match smaller wrists and had all theses loopy options. What extra might they presumably add to the Garmin Fenix 7s?

Having run in a number of variations, I used to be curious to reply this for myself. Thus I’ve been taking the Garmin Fenix 7s Sapphire Photo voltaic mannequin out on street runs, path runs, treadmill runs, hill repeats and even the monitor.

The very first thing I observed in placing it on was how small it feels. I’ve been carrying the Garmin Enduro and Polar Vantage V2 for many runs, so it was a welcome change.

There are such a lot of options to this watch that it could take perpetually to undergo all of them. So I’m going to deal with among the main highlights, professional’s, con’s and variations from different fashions.

Having examined different Garmin fashions, Coros watches, Polar watches, Sunnto watches and sure even some manufacturers chances are you’ll not have realized had watches like TomTom or Epson, I’ll do my greatest to assist with the comparisons.

Garmin Fenix 7s Evaluate

Garmin Fenix is designed to not solely be the health watch that may take you thru each doable exercise you get pleasure from, however be a stellar smartwatch.

The Garmin Fenix 7 is available in numerous variations. Figuring out what the completely different titles and letters imply will show you how to determine what you want due to course each adjustments the worth.

I’ve been particularly testing the Garmin Fenix 7s Sapphire Photo voltaic mannequin. Yup, numerous phrases in that title. We’ll break all of it down!

• Garmin Fenix 7 = fundamental mannequin
• Garmin Fenix 7s = s means a smaller match
• Garmin Fenix 7 Sapphire = has sapphire glass as an alternative of standard glass, which implies much less scratches and stronger face
• Garmin Fenix Photo voltaic = makes use of photo voltaic power to assist cost the watch
• Garmin Fenix 7x = largest dimension, energy glass display, longer battery life

Garmin Fenix 7 vs 6

When you’re questioning about whether or not or not you must improve, let’s take a fast have a look at the variations.

• 7 has an upgraded HR sensor (see evaluation it’s nonetheless not nice)
• 7 makes use of all 3 satellite tv for pc methods which is much more correct – that is the largest improve for anybody doing out of doors actions
• 7 has an extended battery life, particularly with photo voltaic possibility
• 7 is a touchscreen
• 7 provides stamina monitoring and a visible race predictor graph

Watch Match

Relying upon which watch mannequin you choose which change the match. The S mannequin is nice for these like me with a smaller wrist.

For reference my wrist is 5.5 inches and there isn’t numerous strap left over as soon as I strap it on.

• Weight is 63 grams, bigger fashions go up in weight to 96 grams for the X
• Display screen dimension is giant and very easy to learn, have a number of fields seen
• It’s a really cosy match, partially as a consequence of being a smaller watch face that sits tighter on my wrist

With bigger watches, I’ve observed that after lengthy runs my wrist bone could be a little bruised and that’s what I discovered with the Enduro, however not the Garmin Fenix 7s.

Photograph of my older Fenix 5 to offer you a dimension comparability.

Battery Life – Mid-Vary

Whereas battery life on this watch is sweet, it’s not prime finish. When you actually need lengthy battery life then it’s worthwhile to have a look at the Enduro or X fashions.

• Smartwatch as much as 11 Days
• Customary GPS mode 37 hours
• Photo voltaic charging implies that you get additional on all of the battery life settings, like as much as 46 hours GPS or 14 days smartwatch mode
• Battery saver mode may assist prolong life by turning off some options
• Expedition mode is designed for multi-day actions that can assist you get that prolonged battery life

I took the watch off for over every week after the wildfires after which went out for a run and watched it cost again up. I liked that I wasn’t fearful about it being useless or dying throughout the run,

Coronary heart Price – Usually Inaccurate

For me it is a characteristic that ranks practically number one in a MUST have and a should work effectively. I’ve obtained very blended ideas on this as a result of principally the watch was proper…however is generally adequate at this worth level?

On about 80% of my runs the HR was flawed for the primary mile of the exercise. I’ve been working so lengthy I do know what my HR often is and it’s not 150. It’s by no means 150 on a simple run. That first mile being flawed additionally means it impacts the rating Garmin offers you across the exercise.

After that it tended to settle in and keep pretty correct.

Until you depend my hill repeats, the place it stated my HR was solely 112. I bear in mind sprinting, not strolling to these hills, so once more that is problematic.

Whereas colder climate can completely influence all writs primarily based readings, it was within the 40’s and full solar for a lot of of those exams.

GPS Accuracy – Prime Notch

A lot of you requested about accuracy while you’re in a densely forested space, whereas I’ve not examined this as a result of issues right here aren’t just like the PNW, I do comprehend it makes use of all 3 satellite tv for pc choices, GPS, GLONASS and Galileo, making it probably the most correct doable for any GPS watch.

Minus being instantly in downtown areas just like the Chicago marathon, you must discover the GPS to stay fairly dependable.

It’s additionally going to have a number of different working options that I really like:

• Altimeter – extra accuracy on elevation acquire and loss
• Compass and Gyroscope – will increase accuracy of monitoring and mapping
• Accelerometer – helps know if you’re shifting ahead or simply shifting your arm
• Barrometer – to assist monitor climate
• Pulse Ox – measuring oxygen ranges as you begin running at altitude could be actually helpful

Maps – Nice Characteristic

First, a number of of you requested me which watch goes to have the most effective GPS a for rural areas and this one goes to be on the highest of the record. It contains superior GPS and GLONASS satellite tv for pc for higher location monitoring, which is a part of what makes the maps characteristic doable.

One of many options I used to be most enthusiastic about was maps.

Since we’re typically doing new trails, I favored the concept that I might pre-load a map or I might use the navigation finder to assist me get again to a trailhead. Hopefully, guaranteeing I don’t find yourself like that woman who was airlifted in Hawaii for getting off path after which completely misplaced.

Runsploring Tip:

• Maintain the sunshine button, then choose Level of Curiosity to avoid wasting your beginning location
• Head out in your run
• When you begin to really feel confused, throughout the run maintain the menu button and scroll to navigation
• You’ll decide your focal point, choose Again to Begin and also you’re in your means again to the resort

Loading maps takes a bit extra effort, however price it if that’s your jam. Particularly all of you asking me how I run in new cities on a regular basis.

• First obtain Garmin Basecamp
• Import the GPX or TCX file you wish to Basecamp
• Join your Garmin Fenix 5 to laptop
• Export route to look at
• Discover it by Foremost menu > Navigation > Programs

Exercise Monitoring – Unbelievable Vary

Greater than merely having the ability to decide an exercise, the Garmin Fenix 7 is designed with numerous custom-made fields to actually monitor the actions you’re keen on.

You’ll get extra knowledge round your Climbing, Snowboarding, Cross Nation Snowboarding, Mountain Biking and extra.

• Golf programs will permit you obtain maps to plot your ball trajectory.
• Skiview will let you obtain maps to search out the appropriate runs for you.
• Climb indoor lets you monitor your routes, see the way you’re progressing in pace

Whereas the Fenix is waterproof to 100M it’s not meant for diving. You may get pleasure from all of the open water swimming and snorkeling you need, however will want one thing larger for depth.

Customizable Fields

One of many options I like greatest is that I can customise the watch screens for every of those completely different actions.

On my path runs I like having an elevation map. Whereas on my street runs, I’m watching cadence extra or searching for incline data as I check out what hills will work for repeats.

You may customise the fields instantly within the watch while you open an exercise. And there are HUNDREDS of information fields you possibly can select from, which implies you possibly can see absolutely anything you need.

Fueling Reminders

A characteristic that lots of you want from Polar and Coros is the fueling reminder. Now you can get this with a Garmin App.

1. From the Garmin ConnectIQ you possibly can obtain the My Gas Reminder App (developed by GU). Presently, it is going to remind you ever 5KM to soak up gas, there may be not but customization.
2. Create a customized alert to your exercise, which takes 2 seconds. It might probably go off primarily based on a countdown timer. I.e. Each 45 minutes your watch can vibrate or buzz and that’s your reminder to soak up gas.
3. Use the Calorie alert characteristic. You may set this alert to go off when the watch senses you’ve burned anyplace from 50 to 500 energy, you possibly can choose your goal in 50 calorie increments.

Utilizing the alerts is good as a result of you possibly can have a unique alert to your Ultrarun exercise than your street run exercise.

Anticipated Garmin Options

I’m not going to element every of those, as you’ve got most likely examine them in my Garmin 55 evaluation, these are the options we count on in a Garmin:

• Recommended exercises, which regulate because the watch learns you
• VO2 Max
• Cadence, tempo, stride size
• Large number of actions included and might customise
• Capability to customise watch face and screens
• Step monitoring, sleep monitoring
• Smartphone notifications, calendar, climate
• Security options with incident safety and Group Monitoring — large one for ultrarunners
• Management music enjoying in your smartphone

Hear I’m not saying you’ll really take note of the coaching tip it supplies you for the day, however when you don’t have a program then it may be helpful.

Each time you begin an exercise it will present a recommended exercise, which you’ll dismiss or flip off this characteristic. Helpful when you aren’t following a plan.

Music Sans Cellphone

Loading music is definitely surprisingly simple and for these of you who’ve stated you don’t wish to carry your telephones any extra, right here you go.

• Create a playlist in iTunes, Spotify (or different program)
• Join your watch to your laptop
• Open Garmin Categorical
• Choose Music after which it is going to let you choose your music, playlists or podcasts
• Then ship it to your watch and sync (Garmin categorical walks you thru that)
• Subsequent on the watch go to Settings >> Sensors and Equipment >> Add New >> Headphones – tada no cellphone wanted and wi-fi headphones related

Extra Garmin Fenix 7 Options

So past the usual options you want, there are some additions which might improve your coaching within the Garmin Fenix 5!

Coaching standing

Trying on the final 7 days of your coaching the Garmin takes in to account various components to assist inform you whether or not your peaking, enhancing your health, sustaining, in restoration mode or beginning to hit the purpose of overtraining.

Cadence and stride size

I’m at all times harping on having quicker flip over reasonably than longer strides, so right here’s your likelihood to look at and make small changes to hit the optimum 180 footfalls per minute.

Race Predictor

It is a tremendous cool characteristic, however for me at the very least felt a bit bold. If I might run a 3:31 marathon, I’d be signing up for one ASAP…that’s nonetheless not correct primarily based on what I do know of myself. It’s primarily based largely off of VO2Max and a desk of correlated occasions.

VO2Max

I’ve really executed an complete publish about this subject and whether or not or not it’s invaluable to your coaching, so I’ll simply say it’s measured..ish through the watch. In keeping with the makers, Firstbeat, it has solely a 5% margin of error from laboratory testing.

However inside this watch it’s necessary as a result of they use VO2Max to offer your race tempo predictions.

Restoration Time

Takes in to account the depth of your exercise to give you an estimated variety of hours earlier than you must sort out an intense coaching classes once more. It seems to be at your general coaching load in addition to the precise exercise, to assist remind you to not break the an excessive amount of, too quick rule.

Golf Swing

Must you get pleasure from {golfing} in addition to working (did I point out David purchased me golf equipment our very first Christmas) you then’re in luck!

Swim Strokes

And naturally, you already know I’ve instructed you all the explanations that you must contemplate swimming as a part of your constant cross coaching, so this watch is on prime of it!

Smartwatch Options

As famous Fenix is basically centered on being your on a regular basis watch with all of the sensible options.

Having now began utilizing faucet to pay many locations, I like that it may be even simpler by establishing the pockets on my watch. You’ll additionally see all notifications that you just’d like in your watch (or flip them off). You aren’t ready to reply to messages from the watch.

Audio Prompts

From the Garmin Join app you possibly can activate audio prompts!

These are standing bulletins out of your smartphone throughout any exercise. No matter audio you’re listening too might be muted as these play.

Prompts embody the lap quantity and lap time, tempo or pace, and coronary heart price knowledge.

Tempo Professional

Designed to assist preserve you on tempo throughout your race! You’ll arrange prematurely the targets after which throughout the race it is going to show you how to see if you’re on monitor.

Say you begin out the race too quick, it’s going to regulate splits from there to assist preserve you on course.

Working Energy

Some runners have began utilizing energy meters as an alternative of HR to evaluate effort. This used to require a separate merchandise hooked up to your present, however now that the watch can choose stride size, vertical oscillation and a lot extra it’s obtainable proper in your watch.

HRV Standing

Coronary heart price variability has grown in reputation due to issues just like the Whoop. Whereas there are nonetheless questions on how helpful the info could be, it’s now obtainable for you right here when you put on the watch 24/7.

The place to Purchase?

I’m going to advocate you checkout REI’s return coverage.

As certainly one of my pals says, you possibly can take your gear out get it muddy, roll round in a puddle and nonetheless return it. After I’m taking a look at a giant expense, I like a attempt it out coverage.

See Garmin Fenix Fashions at REI >>  $700 – $900 relying on mannequin

See Garmin Fenix at Amazon >> $700 – $860, you’re extra prone to discover gross sales right here, however double examine returns

Garmin Enduro Vs Garmin Fenix 7

How do these two prime of the road Garmin watches match up?

Which one goes to greatest serve your working wants…

Let’s check out the place they differ so you may make a selection that works greatest for you. They share a TON of options together with the identical charging port and a bazillion sport modes.

Photo voltaic Charging

Solely the Garmin Fenix Photo voltaic has this characteristic, so for that exact characteristic you’ll get it for about $100-$200 much less than the Enduro. When you might discover the bottom Fenix for as much as $200 lower than an Enduro.

Past that allow’s evaluate the Enduro, Fenix and Fenix Professional Photo voltaic.

What the Enduro has that Fenix doesn’t:

• Titanium possibility for watch face
• Nylon strap
• Bigger watch face and show with no S possibility for smaller wrists
• Dramatically longer battery life throughout the board
• Extra sport options for Ultrarunning, Expedition, Journey Racing

Options on the Garmin Fenix that aren’t on the Enduro:

• Topographic maps of the US
• Music storage of as much as 2,000 songs
• S possibility for smaller wrist
• Extra colours (just like the notorious rose gold)
• Garmin Round Me Mode to assist navigate primarily based on close by issues on the map

Sure the largest subject some have discovered is that Enduro solely has breadcrumb navigation. Nevertheless, when you love the watch general, you possibly can make the most of the dwMap App from Garmin Join IQ.

Checkout extra particulars of the Garmin Fenix Professional Photo voltaic >>
(I’m keen on the orange strap!)

Checkout extra particulars of the unique Garmin Fenix >>
(I’ve the s mannequin in rose gold and do love the smaller match.)

Hopefully this Garmin Enduro evaluation from my previous couple of months of working with it helped to reply a few of your greatest questions!

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